Monday Night Raw TV Report for 05/12/2014

After being demolished by Evolution last week on both Raw and Smackdown, how will The Shield rebound tonight?

Kane seemed to spook the living daylights out of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan and his wife, Brie Bella. Will Bryan gain a measure of revenge, and what match between these two will this lead to next?

Adam Rose debuted … and well, that was it. I was expecting a lot more from him, so hopefully they have him step-it-up tonight.

The Wyatt Family continue to make havoc for John Cena and his young fans. What is their next move to get inside the mind of the “Cenation?”

Speaking of rebounding, let’s hope Raw overall is much better than last week! To find out, read on below!

The Shield are already in the ring as Michael Cole welcomes us to Raw. Dean Ambrose has the microphone first, and claims that last week’s butt-kicking was something we won’t see very often. Ambrose says that they don’t stay down and “want Evolution!” Seth Rollins declares “we are not running from Evolution; we are running TO Evolution! And if they accept our challenge for a rematch, we will run THROUGH Evolution!” Rollins puts the other trio as good, being three former World Champions, but proclaims that they “were good.” “You can’t evolve into what it takes to beat The Shield.” Reigns takes the stick and glares harshly into the camera. “A week ago, you victimised my brothers. A week ago, you ambushed me, you bloodied me, you R.K.O.-ed me, you Pedigreed me, and you triple-powerbombed me. And all of that made me realize, is that all you got? Because if it is, you have a serious problem.” Roman threatens that The Shield and him will “teach them to believe in The Shield,” and “believe in me.”

A limousine is shown on the Titantron arriving to the building and out walks Triple H. The Shield immediately hall to the back, where we see HHH signing papers with Randy Orton and Batista. They walk through the garage and are jumped by “The Hounds Of Justice.” Agents and referees break up the brawl, separating the two factions.

Back in the arena, Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and John “Bradshaw” Layfield are shown, as Cole announces a Six-Man Tag-Team match, featuring John Cena and Tag-Team Champions The Usos taking on The Wyatt Family. (Which we just saw on Smackdown!)

Rob Van Dam makes his entrance for the first match after the break.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – Rob Van Dam VS. Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)

Prior to this contest, Zeb Colter cuts a promo on his Deportation List. He reminds us of how Adam Rose debuted and interrupted him last week. Colter incorrectly calls Rose an Englishman (he’s South African), then threatens Rose to “keep your distance.”

Before this gets started, the party approaches the stage and out dances Adam Rose. Swagger tries to take a shot, but Adam backs off the ropes onto his posse and is body-surfed around the ring. Jack is too distracted, so he eats a kick from Van Dam, followed by a Five-Star Frogsplash for the quick victory!

Winner via Pinfall: Rob Van Dam

Post-match, Rose and his party-people exit, along with Van Dam who seems pleased with them.

Segment #3: Video Promo

Clips and an interview with Divas Champion Paige is aired, to help continue to put her over on international television.

She is in a match after the break!

Ads.

Segment #4: Video Promo

Another “Bo-Lieve” inspiration airs, comparing a bird with trust.

Match #2: Single – Alicia Fox VS. Divas Champion Paige (Non-Title)

Before this gets underway, Alicia has some words for Paige. She puts down the newcomer, then quickly slaps her. Fox is all over Paige early with kicks and knees, before the bell even rings. Alicia gives Paige a vicious backbreaker, sending her to the floor and ramming her against the apron.

Fox gets a near-fall after a Northern-Light Suplex, then clamps on a grounding rear chinlock. Paige is slammed to the canvas, then spun around with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. 1 – 2 – Paige gets her shoulder up! Fox now stretches the Divas Champ in a surfboard submission, then plants her facedown.

Paige battles out and suddenly hits the Paige-Turner for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Divas Champion Paige

Post-match, Alicia goes crazy, dismantling the announce table and pouring water all over herself. She slaps a ringside man, then steals J.B.L.’s hat and walks to the back with it!

Video recap of Kane psychologically torturing WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella is shown, and he will be out next to talk to the fans.

Commercials.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan has called his journey over the last 10 months an “uphill battle.” He lists the various people that have tried to stand in his way, but also cites the fans as well as himself as the real people who “beat the odds.”

Daniel starts talking about how he has “paid that price with my body,” and stunningly, Bryan announces that he has to have neck surgery this week, and is not sure how long he will be out of action. Daniel is determined to make a return from it, and leads the crowd in a “yes, yes, yes” chant.

(This is a shock – for real, or storyline?)

Segment #6: Video Recap

Mixed footage from Extreme Rules, plus both John Cena’s and Bray Wyatt’s recent promos, is shown to remind us of their ongoing rivalry.

Luke and Jey begin with Harper backing Jey into the corner. He whips him hard into the opposite one, but Jey counters with a big boot and roll-up for two! Jey slaps away, then leaps off the ropes with a clothesline. Harper comes back with a running dropkick, then switches with Rowan. He catches Jey in a scoop-slam, then tags in Bray who stomps away. Harper back in and elbows Jey in the corner. Jey ducks a running clothesline and gets the hot-tag to his brother, who is all over Luke.

Jimmy takes down Harper with a Samoan Drop, then hurls off the turnbuckle with a corkscrew senton. Wyatt distracts Jimmy, allowing Harper to capitalize with a big boot. Bray back in to work over Jimmy. Luke is switched in and alligator-rolls Jummy around the ring, then tags in Rowan who drops a knee and backbreaker.

Jimmy tries a comeback against Bray, but is overtaken quickly with a splash. Jimmy manages a jumping calf-kick off the ropes, allowing himself the hot-tag to John Cena! He comes in and takes out Rowan, then punches Luke down. Cena attempts an A.A. on Erik, but Rowan wiggles out of it and is tossed over the top rope. Harper slams Cena face-first, but is taken down with a soaring crossbody by Jey, who gets slammed by Bray. Jimmy comes in and gives Wyatt an Enziguri-like move, until Rowan takes him out.

Cena comes in and traps Erik in the S.T.F., but Bray breaks it up with a running senton. He sets up Cena for Sister Abigail, but is super-kicked twice by the Usos. The brothers follow up with another double-superkick on Harper, then hurdle themselves over the ropes onto Bray and Luke!

In the ring, Cena finishes this off with the Attitude Adjustment on Rowan!

Winners via Pinfall: John Cena and Tag-Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)

Post-match, Bray has the mike and calls for John. “I wanted to say ‘thank you.’ Thank you. John Cena, for helping me realize FINALLY what I must do. Thank you, John. And follow the buzzards!”

Commercials.

Segment #7: Arena Promo

Evolution make their entrance, then Randy Orton talks first. He just wants to go at it with The Shield, no holds barred. “It is time to put ‘The Hounds Of Justice’ to sleep.” Batista yells he has “had enough.” Triple H concurs, and gives The Shield a rematch at Payback on June 1. He warns, “we will take you apart, one-by-one.” HHH threatens each member of The Shield, particular Roman Reigns. “Roman Reigns, you will fail to adapt, and at Payback, you will…”

Suddenly, The Shield attack Evolution from behind and engage in another fist-a-cuffs. Evolution retreats to the stage, where Batista challenges Reigns to a match tonight!

Ads.

Match #4: Single – Nikki Bella VS. Natalya

Elbow/collar tie-up, with Natalya flipping Nikkie over with a fireman’s carry. Nikki flips over Natalya back, then catches a kick. Natalya rolls through and locks on a bow-and-arrow/deathlock submission. She knees Nikki repeatedly in the corner, but Bella comes back with a springboard knee! 1 – 2 – Natalya kicks out!

They slap each other until Natalya catches Nikki in an abdominal stretch. Nikki elbows out and turns it around on her. Natalya gets out of it and tosses Nikki into the ropes, but Nikki tripes her up into the ropes and smashes her head against the mat. They shove each other back an forth, then trade roll-ups/pin combos for two a piece. Nikki reverses a victory roll try from Natalya into a pin and the win!

Winner via Pinfall: Nikki Bella

Post-match, Natalya confronts the other Divas (Eva Marie, Brie, and The Funakadactyls) on their “grading” of this match.

Lockup to begin, with Sheamus taking Axel down with a side headlock. Sheamus dominates for a bit, but Axel fires back with a dropkick. He yanks Sheamus off the top rope, and drops him with a neckbreaker t of the corner. 1 – 2 – Sheamus gets the shoulder up!

Axel tries for the Perfect Plex, but is eventually caught in the Cloverleaf submission and taps!

Winner via Submission: United States Champion Sheamus

Post-match, Ryback quickly assaults Sheamus, but the Irishman gets back up and answers the call.

Ryback is in control as we come back, and dominates early for a while. He scoop-slams Sheamus but misses a splash. Sheamus slugs away in the corner and hops out of a powerbomb attempt. He nails Ryback with a shoulder-ram and running knee, then hits him with the “10 Beats Of The Bowron” against he ropes!

Ryback catches Sheamus off a Battering Ram attempt, and drives him down with a modified jawbreaker. Ryback winds up for the Meathook Clothesline, but Sheamus counters into his White Noise Drop! 1 – 2 – kickout! Sheamus is shoved into the corner and driven down with a spinebuster for two!

Sheamus elbows and boots out of the corner, then gives Ryback a running powerslam and gets a near-fall! Sheamus gears up, pounding his chest, but is distracted by Curtis and turns around into a Meathook Clothesline. Ryback picks him up in the Shellshock position, but Sheamsu drops out of it and nails the Brogue Kick, subsequently covering for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Sheamus

Commercials.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon is out and talks about WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan. She says his impending neck surgery depicts her theory that he is not an “A+ Player.” She put him down for not being able to live up to expectation, and requests him to meet her in the ring.

Bryan obliges, with help from Kane, who has assaulted and dragged him to the stage. An out-cold WWE World Heavyweight Champion lay on the metal as medical technicians, referees, agents, and Brie Bella stretcher him. Stephanie walks up and asks about his condition.

Ads.

Segment #9: Backstage Promo

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan is being placed in a ambulance, while Stephanie McMahon repeats that she is “so sorry.” Brie stares her down, shoves her, and orders her to “stay away,” before getting into the ambulance.

Elbow/collar tie-up and waistlock by Fandango gains the quick advantage, but Dolph comes back with a shoulder block off the ropes. Fandango armdrags Ziggler a couple of times, then poses to taunt Dolph. He tosses Ziggler over the ropes and dances more in the ring. Fandango delivers an uppercut and chokes Dolph on the middle rope, then hits a quick snap-suplex for two. He wears Ziggler down with a grounding rear chinlock, but Dolph fights out of it with a jawbreaker.

Dolph splashes Fandango in the corner, then follows with ten-punches and a neckbreaker. He misses the Fameasser and is planted with a turn-around suplex! 1 – 2 – Ziggler kicks out! Fandango ascends the turnbuckle but misses, with Ziggler following up with the Fameasser for a close-call!

Layla hops the apron and argues with Dolph, allowing Fandango to hit him with a spinning heel kick. 1 – 2 – Ziggler gets the shoulder up! Layla gets tripped up in the apron curtain (not sure if for real or planned), and Ziggler capitalizes with the Zig-Zag neckbreaker drop to take this one!

Winner via Pinfall: “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler

Post-match, Fandango praises Layla for being with him. “Because no woman has made me feel the way you make me feel. When you’re in my arms, it feels like the world disappears then reappears. Dolph may have won, but you, you have won something much more valuable – my heart. Layla, I love you.” The two make-out to solidify their romance.

Commercials.

Segment #10: Arena Promo

WWE Hall-Of-Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan is now out. He quickly plugs Legends House and the WWE Network, before being cut-off by the “Ravishing Russian,” Lana.

She rips Duggan for symbolizing America. “Just like England, your empire crumbles and you’re the laughing stock of the world.” Loud “U.S.A.” chants drown out Lana for a bit, then goes back to worshipping Alexander Rusev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Duggan gets a another loud “U.S.A.” chant going, then Lana brings out “The Super Athlete.” He marches down to the ring while Lana gives Duggan once chance “to beg for mercy.” She orders Alexander to “crush,” but Big E. runs out for the save. Rusev quickly gets the better of the former Intercontinental Champion booting him out of the ring. Duggan helps collect Big E. on the floor as Rusev and Lana stand tall in the ring.

Ads.

Match #7: Single – Damien Sandow VS. Cody Rhodes (with Goldust)

Prior to the bout, Sandow tries to cut a promo like C.M. Punk and vent his frustration, but is soon stopped by The Rhodes Brother’s music.

The bell rings and Cody trips up Sandow out of a waistlock. He gets a one-count out of a corner sunset-flip, but is tripped up. Damien pounds away on Cody with stomps and brings him over with a snap suplex. He presses Cody against the middle rope with a running hip, then drops the Elbow Of Distain, but Rhodes moves.

Sandow catches him and hammers away against the apron, but Cody punches out of a headlock. He hits a springboard front-dropkick, then kicks Damien in the gut. Cody sets up for CrossRhodes, but Damien snapmares him over to counter.

Cody takes a quick way out by giving Sandow a poke in the eye, as Goldust distracted the referee. Rhodes hits the Disaster Kick and 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Cody Rhodes (with Goldust)

Up next, it’s the main event!

Commercials.

Segment #11: Video Promo

“Your actions don’t surprise me anymore, John,” Bray begins. “You’re so human, and all humans are flawed. It is their ignorance, and their greed, and their lust for power, that prevents them from thriving in this paradise like they’re supposed to. They’ve become parasites. You’re no different, John. You’re just like them, you’re all the same. Your boundless narcissism keeps leading you right to me, John; and where will this fairytale of ours end? Will your mighty hero return home with the head of the beast, and so that he hang it on his mantle and brag to all his friends about how brave he fought? Or is this the time, John, the beast was waiting for you? Last week you said John, that you would ‘never give up,’ even if it meant that you would be the ‘last man standing.’ I like that very much, because at Payback, I’d really like to put your little theory to the test. Because where mountains crumble, I will stand. Where oceans boil, there I will stand. And when everything burns down around you, John, there I will be standing. How far will you go to take this devil down? He’s got the whole world in his hands, he’s got the whole world in his hands. Burn.”

Roman Reigns makes his entrance with his Shield partners for his match, next!

Ads.

It is announced that John Cena will answer Bray’s challenge this week on Smackdown!

Batista tries to take down Reigns by the legs right away, but he doesn’t go down. Batista shoves Roman into the corner and shoulder-rams him repeatedly, but Reigns turns it around and does the same. It spills to the outside, where the ram each other off the barricade; then Roman slams Batista’s head on the steel steps.

Reigns already goes for the Superman Punch, but misses and eats top turnbuckle. Batista clotheslines Roman in the corner, then throws him shoulder-first into the ring post. Reigns comes back with a harsh clothesline out of the corner, then both Orton and Triple H hop the apron. Batista and Reigns slug it out, with Roman getting the better.

Reigns wants to dropkick Batista on the outside but HHH and Orton block him, until Ambrose and Rollins give them suicide dives! Reigns manages the dropkick, but is pulled out and setup for the Pedigree. Rollins dives over to save him, and Charles Robinson, the referee, calls for the bell.

Winner: No Contest due to Referee Stoppage

Post-match, The Shield begin to surround Evolution until Stephanie appears on stage and has a bunch of the roster run out. They all beat down The Shield, particularly Reigns.

They hold him up as Triple H takes a swing with a chair, but Roman breaks through and Spears “The Game!” Rollins and Ambrose fire back too with chairs, front-DDTing Fandango on a chair, and Rollins Curb-Stomps Axel on the chair! Roman nails the Superman Punch on Slater, then Spears Ryback! The Shield surround him and triple-powerbomb Ryback!

Evolution look on from the aisle, as The Shield taunt them to come get them to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

This was a much better Raw, all-around. Truly enjoyed more than last week, with only a few quirks to put in the negative column. Onto the analysis:

Excellence: Hotter start than last week, and love the no-nonsense attitude of both The Shield and Evolution. This is starting to remind me of the old WCW vs. NWO feud of the 90s, only a bit better because it’s just really 6 main guys involved, not every single employee World Championship Wrestling had to offer!

Glad to see both Tag-Team Champions The Usos and Divas Champion Paige back. As champions, they should be on every show; whether it’s a match or promo, make an appearance to put yourself over as a titleholder. Decent match too with Alicia that Paige had, and loved the Six-Man between Wyatts/Usos/Cena.

Liked both Lana’s promo and the entire segment with Rusev/Duggan/Big E. this could be a good first real feud for Alexander, and Big E. matches (yes, pun-intended) up well!

Great physical back-and-forth (surprisingly too!) between Ryback and U.S. Champ Sheamus. I’d be fine if these two engage in a feud for the Championship. Same with Sandow/Rhodes (although, that should be a one-off – it was just a good match), and even Fandango/Ziggler.

As always, Bray Wyatt can do no wrong when giving a speech. Here’s to another superb oratory!

Bogus: Was disappointed again by Adam Rose. Not into his feud with Colter/Swagger, and so far, he is not living up to the hype. The man can wrestle great; he should’ve been doing that the last two weeks.

Where was Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett? For my reasons on why he should be on Raw, see commentary above on Divas Champ Paige and Tag-Team Champs The Usos.

Nikki/Natalya was just filler, and I don’t really care. Brie should not have been out there with the other Divas; that was after her husband’s shocking news, so she should’ve been kept to the back to play up her support. It seemed like nothing is wrong when she was at ringside for a meaningless Divas match.

Didn’t really get the post-match interaction between Fandango/Layla – also seemed pointless.

Uncertain: WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Bryan. I hope his neck surgery is just a storyline, but if it is for real, best wishes and blessings to him on a speedy recovery. Hopefully it is not extremely serious, and perhaps he can be back as quick as Kurt Angle was in 2003.

All in all, an improvement from seven days ago, so let’s keep it up! Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!